Chiefs Sign Bowe And Colquitt And Franchise Albert

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel, right, greets wide receiver Dwayne Bowe after Bowe's touchdown reception against the Seattle Seahawks late in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel (7) celebrates a touchdown with teammate Dwayne Bowe (82) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

The Kansas City Chiefs retained three significant free agents Monday, signing punter Dustin Colquitt to a five-year deal, placing the franchise tag on left tackle Branden Albert and reportedly agreeing to a long-term contract with wide receiver Dwayne Bowe.

The Chiefs had until Monday afternoon to decide whether to place the franchise tag on one of their pending free agents. They did it with Albert, who will make $9,828,000 next season.

The decision was made easier by reaching long-term deals with Bowe and Colquitt.

Bowe was the recipient of the franchise tag last year, and despite poor quarterback play and some nagging injuries, still managed to catch 59 passes for 801 yards and three touchdowns.

Colquitt earned a trip to the Pro Bowl as the Chiefs' punter this season.

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Chiefs releases:

CHIEFS SIGN WR DWAYNE BOWE

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Monday that the club has signed wide receiver Dwayne Bowe.

"When we first arrived, one of the first items on our agenda was signing Dwayne,” General Manager John Dorsey said. “He’s been a key player on our offense and is one of the premier players at his position. We are pleased that Dwayne will be a member of this team for years to come.”

“We’re excited to have Dwayne on the roster for the long term,” Head Coach Andy Reid said. “Dwayne’s a big, physical receiver who has had success in this league. He is part of the Chiefs family, and it was important to him to remain in Kansas City. I’m looking forward to working with Dwayne.”

“I’m very blessed to be a member of the Kansas City Chiefs,” said Bowe. “The Hunt family and the fan base have been very supportive over the years, and I am looking forward to working with John and Coach Reid in the near future. I’m excited to continue my career with the Chiefs and hopefully help this team reach our goals.”

Bowe (6-2, 221) has played in 88 games (82 starts) in six seasons (2007-12) with Kansas City. His career numbers include 415 receptions for 5,728 yards (13.8 avg.) with 39 touchdowns. Bowe’s most productive season statistically came in 2010 when he caught 72 passes for 1,162 yards (16.1 avg.) with 15 touchdowns, earning his first trip to the Pro Bowl. Last season, he tallied 801 yards on 59 catches (13.6 avg.) with three touchdowns before being placed on injured reserve for the final three weeks of the regular season. Bowe has led the Chiefs in receptions and receiving yards in each of the past four seasons.

The Miami, Fla., native originally entered the NFL as Kansas City’s first-round selection (23rd overall) in the 2007 NFL Draft. He earned first-team All-SEC honors at LSU, where he caught 154 passes for 2,403 yards (15.6 avg.) and a school-record 26 touchdowns. He prepped at Norland Senior High School in Miami, Fla.

CHIEFS PLACE FRANCHISE TAG ON T BRANDEN ALBERT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Monday that the club has placed the franchise tag on tackle Branden Albert.

"Today was the league’s deadline to designate a franchise player and we felt it was in the best interest of the Kansas City Chiefs to place the tag on Branden," General Manager John Dorsey said. “We will continue to negotiate with Branden and his agent to reach a deal that is mutually beneficial. We are looking forward to working with Branden in the near future.”

Albert (6-5, 316) has played in 73 games (71 starts) in five seasons with the Chiefs. He’s helped pave the way for Chiefs running backs, including Jamaal Charles, who has recorded three 1,000-yard rushing seasons behind Albert and company. In 2012, the Chiefs racked up 2,395 yards on the ground, the fifth-highest rushing output in club annals. Since Albert’s arrival in 2008, the club has averaged 133.2 rushing yards per contest.

The Glen Burnie, Md., native originally entered the NFL as Kansas City’s second of two first-round picks (15th overall) in the 2008 NFL Draft. He was an All-ACC selection at Virginia where he started as a true freshman. He was a two-way standout player at Glen Burnie High School in Glen Burnie, Md.

CHIEFS SIGN P DUSTIN COLQUITT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Monday that the club has signed punter Dustin Colquitt.

"We are excited that we were able to come to a long-term agreement with Dustin and keep him in Kansas City,” General Manager John Dorsey said. “Dustin is an elite punter in this league, he’s done a great job for this franchise the past eight seasons, and we are looking forward to working with him.”

“John and I knew right away that we’d like to keep Dustin in a Chiefs uniform,” Head Coach Andy Reid said. “He’s worked hard at his craft and has become one of the best punters in the NFL. He’s got a strong leg and the ability to pin opponents deep in their own territory. We are happy we were able to come to an agreement.”

Colquitt (6-3, 210) has played in 126 games in eight seasons with the Chiefs. His career numbers include 657 punts for 29,381 yards (44.7 avg.) with 55 touchbacks and 250 inside the 20. He holds a career net average of 39.1 yards and a long of 81 yards.

In 2012, Colquitt earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl after his best statistical season in the NFL. He punted 83 times for 3,887 yards (46.8 avg.) with seven touchbacks and a long of 71 yards. He pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line 45 times, the second-best mark in NFL history. Colquitt holds many Chiefs records for punting including highest career average (44.7), highest net average (39.1) and most career punts inside the 20 (250).

The Knoxville, Tenn., native originally entered the NFL as Kansas City’s third-round draft pick (99th overall) in the 2005 NFL Draft. He was an All-SEC selection at Tennessee and prepped at Bearden High School in Knoxville, Tenn.

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